A means test is used to assess your means. Any income you or your spouse or partner have, or property or an asset that could provide you with an income is taken into account.

The main items that count as means are:

cash income including certain social welfare payments and allowances under the Health Acts; income received as head of the household and the annual net cash value of any non-cash earnings (benefits in kind),

the value of investments, capital or property owned but not personally used
(see below),

the value of any benefit or privilege enjoyed by you,

and

all income and the value of any property that you may have deprived yourself of to qualify for a Rent Allowance.